How Reading Can Benefit You As An Entrepreneur?
Rich entrepreneurs all have one thing in common: they read. They read extensively. From Warren Buffet to Elon Musk to Jack Ma, and countless others, reading is not just a hobby, but a daily habit. If you search the internet for photos of entrepreneurs in their homes, offices, or on a business trip, you'll often spot a stack of books nearby. So, why do entrepreneurs read so much?
Every year, Bill Gates shares his reading list on his blog, “Gates Notes.” The Microsoft founder, currently the fourth-richest person in the world, admits to reading more than 50 books every year. This is truly remarkable – it averages out to around one book per week. Reading for entrepreneurs is more than just a way to pass the time.
Reading Benefits For Entrepreneur
#1 Personal Development
Top entrepreneurs have figured it out, and now it's your turn to discover their not-so-secret secret: being the one with answers really pays off. When we talk about the impact of reading, let's set aside the deeper emotional and cognitive effects. On a surface level, individuals who are well-read tend to earn higher incomes. According to a 2016 Pew Research report, “the affluent are twice as likely as the poor to read books.” Reading and wealth go hand in hand, showing a clear correlation. Therefore, reading books can literally lead to financial gains.
#2 Expands Your Knowledge Base
Reading offers numerous advantages, including accessing a wealth of knowledge. Books encompass a wide range of subjects, such as business strategy, marketing, leadership, and finance. As an entrepreneur, continuously expanding your knowledge can aid in making informed decisions and staying ahead in a swiftly changing business environment.
#3 Develops Cognitive Skills
Entrepreneurs shouldn't underestimate the importance of good memory, strategic decision-making, and verbal intelligence. Reading, a scientifically proven method to develop essential cognitive skills, is a must for success. You don't have to read every novel on the website, but you should read it on a regular basis. You can install a novel app, for example Fiction Me, and read it when you have free time at work or on the way home.
Firstly, reading stimulates brain areas associated with memory. Secondly, it nurtures literacy and verbal intelligence. The more you read and learn, the better you become at retaining information. Alongside enhancing analytical thinking and preserving cognitive abilities, it also aids in preventing certain health conditions.
#4 Reading Improves Speaking
Vocabulary expansion goes hand-in-hand with it. Your speech is influenced by well-written books as you observe the fluidity and writing styles of other authors, shaping the way you construct sentences and choose words in business meetings, conferences, and public speeches afterward.
Reciprocity is key: your oral skills improve as you read more. Entrepreneurs greatly benefit from being articulate and well-spoken, as it enhances self-confidence and boosts self-esteem, both qualities essential for them. Better communication is achieved through continuous improvement in vocabulary knowledge.
#5 Better Writing
Reading enhances writing skills, as stated by author and writing teacher Roz Morris. She asserts that reading exposes us to various styles, voices, forms, and genres, including writing that surpasses our own, helping us improve.
When starting a business, strong writing skills are invaluable, especially when lacking a large marketing, advertising, or PR team. You can even use the novel AI app to create your own book. This is an even more effective approach to developing writing skills.
#6 Develops Leadership and Communication Skills
Effective leadership and communication are crucial for successful entrepreneurship. You can cultivate essential qualities like emotional intelligence, adaptability, and resilience by exploring books on leadership available on Z Library. Moreover, reading books on communication enhances your ability to convey ideas, negotiate effectively, and establish strong relationships with partners, employees, and customers.
#7 Develops Intuition and Understanding of the Essence of Things
Reading naturally enhances reading comprehension, facilitating the understanding of implicit or hidden meanings in words or phrases. Developing the ability to infer and analyze becomes invaluable when embarking on a business venture, as it safeguards your company's best interests against potential exploitation. A multifaceted perspective is crucial, acknowledging that conversations often extend beyond the surface-level communication.
#8 Reduces Stress
A successful entrepreneur needs a range of skills, with the ability to de-stress being crucial. Reading a newspaper or a book has been proven to be more effective and efficient in reducing stress levels compared to listening to music or taking a walk, as confirmed by research conducted at the University of Sussex. Psychologists explain that this is because reading requires concentration, which helps relax muscles and the heart. To soothe your frayed nerves, set aside at least 30 minutes per week to read something. This study affirms that such a practice is sufficient to increase life satisfaction by 20%.
#9 Builds a Network of Mentors
Books alone cannot replace genuine mentors, but they can assist in identifying potential mentors and role models. By reading about the experiences of successful entrepreneurs, you can be inspired to actively seek opportunities to connect with them, attend their seminars, or participate in their mentorship programs.
Final Words
Entrepreneurs who achieve success in their businesses often have a strong habit of reading extensively. Incorporating reading into your daily routine can greatly contribute to your entrepreneurial journey. Developing a reading culture is not a challenging task and eventually becomes a lifestyle choice. So, instead of wasting time on smartphones, prioritize reading to enhance your knowledge and skills.
Now, let's address the question: what types of books do entrepreneurs typically read? Well-known global entrepreneurs often publish their annual reading lists, while lesser-known entrepreneurs share theirs on social media platforms. These lists consist of books from various genres, including finance, science, biographies, and inspiration. Although fiction books appear frequently, entrepreneurs generally do not indulge in magazines, tabloids, or other leisure reading materials.
Wayne Kernochan has been an IT industry analyst and auther for over 15 years. He has been focusing on the most important information-related technologies as well as ways to measure their effectiveness over that period. He also has extensive research on the SMB, Big Data, BI, databases, development tools and data virtualization solutions. Wayne is a regular speaker at webinars and is a writer for many publications.
